I have been comparing some of the JC entrees with some of the Weight Watchers Smart Ones and the Lean Cuisine entrees and they seem pretty similar. Does any one ever substitute? I noticed that the JC lasagna has 10mg of cholesterol and 2mg of saturated fat so I'd like to stay away from that one...WW has some similar Italian choices that look healthier. Is it ok to substitute from time to time? If so, how often is safe and what should I watch out for?
Also... The Nabisco 100 calorie snack packs are wonderful (not to mention, they go on sale frequently). Some of the JC snacks are 100 - 180 calories. I'd like to have the variety, cost saving, calories saving option of substituting once in a while. Is that ok? What do I need to look for?
Thanks.

You have to watch for sodium in those other brands because they are usually higher than JC and sodium = water retention.
I haven't substituted anything yet (we don't get WW and HC frozen entrées up here in Calgary), but we have Lean Cuisine and PC Blue entrées that could be used as a substitute in a pinch.
I don't like the JC Lasagna (I find the noodles gummy in texture) but the JC Penne Pasta is awesome, if you're looking for something "italian".

Hi IndigoKat, I sometimes pick up a few Lean Cuisine and Smart Ones entrees for variety. Most of them are comparable in sodium and calories, but you always have to check! I don't really like the JC Italian entrees, so I eat the Smart Ones Three Cheese Ziti, the Chicken Parmesagn and the Lean Cuisine Spaghetti with meat sauce once in a while.
What I really like are the Smart Ones snacks. The Cookie Dough ice cream sundae is fabulous, and I prefer their Double Fudge chocolate cake to the JC version. (Less calories, too!) Sometimes I'll buy the Weight Watchers snack cakes (come in lemon, chocolate, carrot cake) and have two of those in place of a snack. (80 cal ea x 2 = 160 calories).
The 100 calorie packs are great snacks, too. I believe they count as a starch, or would substitute for your JC snack.

I've been buying the bumble bee tuna kits w/crackers,they come regular 310 cal, low fat, which I just discovered 140cal and a new one, (tuna mixed with sundried tomato and basi...awsome,,,200 cal...also love the chicken kits too and they are low in calories too. I have a big salad with them for lunch and it's great. Also for breakfast, I've been doing Nutri grain bars and then a low fat yogurt for snack. As you can see, I've been getting away fr buying Jenny food, to expensive with a family of four and I can buy the same stuff for much cheaper....good luck ladies.

HI...IndigoKat I asked my coun. at my centr and about the Nabisco snacks and she told it would be fine...I don't like milk for 1 thing and I also have diabetes ...the Nabisco snacks have less than less sugar as I do not eat ANY of the choc. cake or brownies or any of the sugar breakfast items...my doctor told me NO..the choc cake has over 25 sugars alone....they said i could use the 100 cal snacks as my milk as I do not like milk..and I also buy Glenny's snack chips they are 100 cals/ 2/3 fat grams and are very good..she also said i could use those as a change as not 2 burn out on the jc curls...enjoy!!!!!!!
sandra
sw 11/27/05 279
cw 01/11/06 257 down 22lbs
WI is on Thur this week..back 2 normal..(wi was a day early last week)

I just discovered Aunt Jemima French Toast - two slices are 240 cal w/less carbs and more protein than the JC version -- it's delicious and cheaper than dirt

quote:

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Originally posted by Impatient:
I just discovered Aunt Jemima French Toast - two slices are 240 cal w/less carbs and more protein than the JC version -- it's delicious and cheaper than dirt

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Are these available in Canada? I don't recall seeing those here in Calgary, but I haven't been looking at such things when grocery shopping. I'll check it out!

I'm not sure if it's available in Canada, but I hope so for you --- It's really delicious.

I've tried some of the new LC panini's and they are really good! The Southwest chicken is my favorite.

I have been known to substitute a "skinny cow" fudge bar for one of the Jenny Snacks. I love them so much!

"Skinny cow" products are really good and tasty!

Vitamuffins are yummy. I have tried the chocolate ones. http://www.vitalicious.com/productinfo_better.html

One of my favorite snacks are the 100 Calorie Packs that you can get from the grocery store. I get the ones that are lowest in fat and carbs which are the Wheat Thins and the Ritz snack mix(like Chex Mix). They have other varieties too, like Oreo thin crips and cheese-its, but those are a little higher in fat and carbs.

Impatient, thanks for the info on the French Toast. Good to know!!! That's my favorite, but I know within the next few months I am going to start doing breakfast on my own (seems like it would be the easiest to start with) and then work my way through all the meals throughout the year until I can do (most) all of them on my own. That way maybe I can really learn to eat right this time.
Anyway, thanks again for the great tip!